Rear ARB now fitted to an A2

Salut Ariles,
that's very good news ! You are still on std springs, are you ?
Before your report, I was still unsure about the real effect, and wondering if I'd go or not for that upgrade... Now you made me make decision :)
If your cars handles so sharply on 15" wheels, that's encouraging for mine on 17" (well, in 5-6 weeks, it will wear its winter boots again).
Where did you ordered your ARB ? Were the shipping costs reasonable ?
Was the fitting straightforward ?
Cheers,
Fabrice

PS : You could maybe consider TT roadster seats.
For your leather color, and just for the front ones, that's a clever option (same for me).
Look on ebay UK and Germany. Sometimes they pop there.
A very nice pair of heated red seats with airbags, in mint condition, went for only £250 :(
But I'm not sure that the color is the same as in the A2. The TT red leather looks more "bright", but nobody could confirm on infirm...
The beige looks the same though... But like red, it's much less common than black.
 
Salut Fabrice

Yes I am with standard springs
I ordered it from demon tweeks (an english ebay shop) 143£ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whiteline-BWR19Z-REAR-SWAYBAR-SEAT-SKODA-VW-/180540515824?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a090da5f0
I have found another one on the bay : the well known Awesome Gti. 145£ - free delivery (make sure it's also free for belgium, ask them before)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whiteline-Rear-Anti-roll-bar-Seat-Ibiza-Mk4-Polo-9N-Fabia-/220849768411?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336bac07db

The Fitting is easy. 1 hour max.
There is a step by step guide.
Lift the car securely with "chandelles" (sorry, I don't know the english word)
In french : Met la voiture sur des chandelles placées au niveau des points de levages arrières.

While, you are under the car, you could need someone to help lifting the wheels in order to put the shocks new bolts in their holes (for aligning the holes). could be done alone but easier with someone. It'll take him a few seconds.

Don't forget to put some grease (provided) inside the main bushes.

You will need 16mm(original bolts) and 17mm(new bolts) wrenches and a 8mm allen.



PS : for the TT seats: No no don't tempt me please! don't. Is the fitting straightforward ?:rolleyes:

I have to change the second timing belt (176.000 KM) and I am quite late : so lot of money to spend. :(
 
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Hi Ariles,
merci pour les instructions, ça semble très facile :)
I'll order that ARB sooner or later !
Will check with Awesome GTi. I got my FSD's from them, they were serious and helpful.

For the TT seats, they fit with some work...
The inner rear corner bolts directly on the A2 mounting, the other 3 corners need "adapter plates" to be made. The inner front is just a "45° to 90°" bracket ; on the outer side, there is also some lateral offset to include in the brackets.
But, since a picture is worth a thousand words, you'll see directly what I mean here :
http://www.a2-freun.de/forum/showthread.php?t=33785

Maintenant je laisse l'idée germer :)
Fabrice

PS : I had the timing belt changed a few month ago, along with water pump and rollers, ARB, one wheel bearing, ... a 2000€ bill :(
 
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fbi said:
But I'm not sure that the color is the same as in the A2. The TT red leather looks more "bright", but nobody could confirm on infirm...
Click to expand...

You may find that when people take pictures of the red leather CCD on the camera will show the red as alot brighter than it does in the flesh, still not confirming that they are the same but would say that they would be very close if you went for a simillar age of car

Phil
 
Indeed that's what I thought... colours and quite "transformed" by digital cameras and then by computer screens.
I should hunt for a TT with red leather and have a look a it, with one of my headrests taken off, for instance.
 
Rear ARB on stiffest setting?

Having moved from a Daihatsu Charade GTti (a nice bit of lift-off oversteer) I would still like to improve the handling of my A2. I first of all added the rear ARB - this made a big difference. Then I had Koni FSDs, Weitec front springs, new OE sport rear springs and all the ancillary suspension parts changed. This made more difference to the ride than the handling but did improve the handling a little more. The biggest issue in comparison to the GTti is that the harder you pushed that the better it felt like it gripped until a point where the (unassisted) steering clearly told you that you were pushing things too far. Obviously an A2 is never going to be as communicative as a GTti but I wonder if anyone with a diesel and a similar set up to mine has tried the rear ARB on the stiffest setting? If anyone has tried it I wonder whether the understeer was reduced and if any nasty - e.g. unpredictable - side-effects were found. Any other thoughts on further improving the handling would be appreciated - particularly the understeer.

Mark
 
Hi Mark
I don't recall anyone going beyond the medium setting on the Whiteline, so why don't you try it and see?! You may lose a bit of rear-end grip but the only way to find out is to give it a go? Let us know how you get on!
Dan
 
Hi Dan,

I will be the guinea pig then. I will report back when I have tried and tested - may be some time as I only do about 4000 miles a year.

Mark
 
My pondering is that the Weitecs perhaps enhance understeer by being stiffer(er) than the rears, even if sports are fitted. A rear arb should help balance it and the lower settings may be more aligned to standard springs.
Or something....you can't really remove the front arb to try it on a standard car so it's all about making it stiffer :(
 
Had the rear ARB put on the stiffest setting today. First impressions are that it reduces roll a good amount and no nasty side effects. Not sure when I will be able to put the car to a tougher test with regards to understeer, etc.

Mark
 
nuttinnew said:
Or something....you can't really remove the front arb to try it on a standard car so it's all about making it stiffer :(
Click to expand...

It should be possible to disable the front ARB by removing one of the drop links. The other drop link will hold the ARB in position but the bar won't have any effect on roll stiffness. Suspect your insurance would be invaild if you loose it on a roundabout though.

Cheers Spike
 
Having tried the car with the rear ARB on the stiffest setting on roads that I know my impressions are that the ride is a little harsher, particularly more jiggly; however, I have not felt the car understeer even if I try to provoke it. So at the moment I am quite happy with the balance of the compromise as the ride is still significantly better with the FSDs than the tired old suspension.
 
I won't put mine on the siffest position until I've changed the front springs for some "harder" models (not planned now - lack of time)
Otherwise I think it won't be well "balanced".
 
How are all you Whiteliners getting on with the RARB?
Is it a genuine "must buy"? Would you ever consider taking it off?
 
Been on nearly 2 years now and no i don't think i'll take it off, still set to the middle setting and i think it does help when your out on the twisty roads, as i found out yesterday did over 90 miles of A and B roads with a CAV in his Corsa full of speed on the straight roads but lost him big style around the corners then when it started to rain left him for dead for about 10 miles then he caught me up when we got in to a town

Phil
 
Hi All
Loving the look of that mmm may have to get one I see how it go I have only had my A2 for three week’s and not had the chance to drive it in anger yet so I will be keeping my eye on this thread
James
 
still got mine on. Will be keeping it. Cant say what effect its had as i got it at the same time as my fsd's. I can however say that my a2 corners like a gokart.
 
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